Melissa Soto cuddles with a therapy dog near a memorial for the victims of the Pulse Nightclub shootingCredit:
EPA

They have been sent to vigils, hospitals and homes to provide comfort after Chicago-based Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) were invited by a church located near to where the attack took place.

Therapy dogs are raised to provide emotional support to people in distress and have previously been sent to Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, after the shooting.

Melissa Soto Credit:
EPA

“On Sunday, we put a dispatch out to our dogs across the country to see who could come out, and after making flight reservations, here we are. We try to always respond in 24 hours after being invited,” LCC president Tim Hetzner told The Dodo.

“Everyone down here has been affected by this. Everyone loves petting the dogs. It helps them talk. When you pet a dog, your blood pressure goes down and you relax. When you relax, there's a greater chance that you'll want to talk about what you've been through.

“We're here working with the victims, families and first responders - and the whole community. We'll also be visiting with the staff at the club where the attack happened. They are taking this very rough. We're keeping busy.”

The comfort dogs have been deployed from Iowa, Texas, South Carolina, Illinois, Nebraska, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

LCC affiliation Phoebe Comfort Dog also posted: “Our prayers for the people of Orlando have found us now preparing to leave and go to be with those who are hurting and affected.”